Anoiapithecus brevirostris

Anoiapithecus brevirostris, nicknamed Lluc, is a fossil hominid discovered in Catalonia, Spain, dating to approximately 11.9 million years ago during the Miocene Epoch. The name Lluc means "the one who illuminates" in Latin.1

Lluc is distinguished by its unusually flat and vertically oriented face, a trait that resembles modern humans and the genus Homo but is believed to be a result of convergent evolution. This feature contrasts with the more forward-projecting faces of most other apes, both living and fossil.1

The genus Anoiapithecus exhibits a mix of primitive and derived anatomical features. Its dental morphology is considered primitive, similar to older African hominoids like Proconsul. However, other traits, such as thick enamel on its molars and a robust lower jaw, align it with more advanced hominoids, including modern great apes and humans.1

The evolutionary relationships of Miocene apes are complex due to their diversity and the common occurrence of parallel and convergent evolution. Anoiapithecus is considered a basal member of the Hominidae family, potentially representing a link between modern great apes and humans and a group of fossil apes. The discovery of Anoiapithecus in Eurasia has fueled debate about whether the common ancestor of great apes and humans evolved in Eurasia or Africa.1